New eateries to open in University’s Joe Crowley Student Union

Great Full Gardens Express and U-Swirl To-Go will open for business on campus this summer

4/2/2014 - By: Annie Conway

Gino and Juli Scala, co-owners of Great Full Gardens, grow local produce in their greenhouse to ensure their food is made with fresh and healthy ingredients. Great Full Gardens Express and U-Swirl To-Go are scheduled to open in August 2014 at the University of Nevada, Reno’s Joe Crowley Student Union. Photo provided by Juli Scala.

Gluten-free and vegan soups, locally grown entrees and frozen yogurt will soon be available for University of Nevada, Reno students, staff, faculty and visitors. Two new eateries, Great Full Gardens Express and U-Swirl To-Go, are scheduled to open in August 2014 inside the Joe Crowley Student Union.

The Board of Regents recently approved these new venue options. In keeping with the University’s commitment to health and wellbeing, Great Full Gardens will expand the range of food choices for students with dietary restrictions and those looking for healthy options.

“The campus currently has a very good variety of dining selections. However, we want to continually be mindful of healthy and sustainable eating,” Chuck Price, director of the Joe Crowley Student Union, said. “Great Full Gardens is one of the best options in terms of healthy food in the northern Nevada community.”

Price has received a positive response from students, faculty and staff about the addition of the locally owned business.

“The menu will consist of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options, which will allow the University to further expand dining services,” he said. “It is a great addition to our campus community.”

Great Full Gardens is locally owned by Gino and Juli Scala. They opened their Midtown Reno location in 2013. They are also the owners of Pathways Café, an eatery in the University of Nevada School of Medicine’s Center for Molecular Medicine building on the north end of campus. Great Full Gardens will take the spot previously occupied by Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen.

“We are excited to bring Great Full Gardens Express to the University,” Juli Scala said. “We were honored to be asked and look forward to seeing the students next semester.”

According to Price, surveys and focus groups show that students at the University want a combination of locally grown food, healthy food options and national brands. Great Full Gardens and U-Swirl will provide these options to students.

“U-Swirl is extremely happy to join the University of Nevada, Reno family,” Larry Learner, the owner of U-Swirl, said, “We provide a premium, healthy yogurt product and will have 12 flavors with more than 40 different toppings, so the selection is almost endless.”

U-Swirl will be located on the first floor of the Student Union across from the Nevada Wolf Shop. There are currently two U-Swirl locations in the Reno community on Mae Anne Avenue and Northtowne Lane.

“We look forward to working with U-Swirl to provide a great dessert and snack option on campus,” Price said.